ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – A driver who mistook the gas pedal for the brake pedal struck three people, one of whom died, while pulling into a driveway at an Orange County home, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Troopers said 68-year-old Luz Silverio Gomez was preparing to park a four-door BMW at a home on Chipola Circle around 4:15 p.m. when she pressed the gas pedal instead of the brake, traveled through an enclosed garage area and hit a 39-year-old woman, a 15-year-old girl and a 49-year-old man.
Orange County Fire Rescue public information officer Mike Jachles said the garage had been converted into a living room area and that’s where the victims were when they were struck.
Troopers said the 49-year-old man was renting a room inside the home. Records show the man was taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center, where he died. He has not been identified yet, pending notification of his family.
The woman and the 15-year-old girl suffered minor injuries, according to a crash report.
Gomez was not injured. Her husband, who was also in the vehicle, was not injured, Jachles said.
Troopers said the crash is under investigation. No charges have been filed at this time.